Future: be going to and present continuous – B1 English Grammar Test

1  Match the sentences (1–4) to the correct rules (A–D). Then decide if the sentences use the present continuous (PC) or be going to (G).

1   a definite future plan   …C…

2   something you intend to do in the future   ………

3   something you know is likely to happen   ………

4   a definite future plan   ………

A   I’m going to learn the guitar next term.   ………

B   There is going to be a thunderstorm later.   ………

C   I’m travelling to Italy next week.   …PC…

D   I’m not going away with my grandparents this summer.   ………

2  Choose the correct form of the future to complete the sentences. Underline the words that give a specific time reference to help you decide when to use the present continuous.

1   We’re ………………. Alison from the train station at noon.

      A picking up     B going to pick up

2   The flight is ………………. at half past four this afternoon.

      A going to get in     B getting in

3   I’m ………………. Australia one day. It’s my dream!

      A visiting     B going to visit

4   They’re ………………. for Ireland at the weekend.

      A leaving     B going to leave

5   It’s ………………. later. Look at all those clouds!

      A going to rain     B raining

6   Sam is ………………. an architect when he’s older.

      A being     B going to be

3  Correct the mistake in each sentence.

1   He’s take part in a cycling competition next weekend.   ……taking part……

2   What are you going do on Saturday?   ……………….

3   I’ve lived in my town since I was born, but I be not gonna live here forever.   ……………….

4   Barcelona is a really nice city. We’re looking round some of the historical sites while we’re there.   ……………….

5   My friend and I going to the cinema tonight. Would you like to come too?   ……………….

6   They not go away this summer.   ……………….

4  Complete the sentences with the verbs in the box in the correct form of the present continuous or be going to.

1   ✓ We ……’re setting off…… for the airport at 8 am.

2   ✓ I ………………. my suitcase from the baggage hall.

3   ✗ Our flight is delayed. It ………………. at twelve thirty as planned.

4   ?  ………………. you ………………. lots of cool museums when you visit London?

5   ✗ They ………………. until the queue is shorter.

6   ✓ She ………………. from her holiday tomorrow afternoon.

5  Complete the text about Matthew’s trip with the verbs in the correct form of the present continuous or be going to. Then answer the questions.

Going away by Matthew Cole

I 1……’m going to…… (go) Granada in Spain in the Easter holidays. I 2………………… (learn) Spanish at a language school, and I’m really excited! I 3………………… (stay) with a family for two weeks, and they’ve got a son who I can practise speaking with. I 4………………… (study) Spanish five days a week, and at the weekends I 5………………… (do) some sightseeing in the city. I 6………………… (not look round) every church and museum, but I 7………………… (visit) the Alhambra Palace. Granada isn’t far from the coast, so the family 8………………… (take) me to the beach the first weekend. And it’s near the mountains too, so we 9………………… (go) skiing the following weekend. It 10………………… (be) amazing!

1   Where’s Matthew going at Easter?

      ……He’s going to Granada in Spain. ……

2   Why is he going there?

      …………………………………………..

3   Where’s he staying?

      …………………………………………..

4   Is he going to do some sightseeing?

      …………………………………………..

5   What’s he doing the first weekend?

      …………………………………………..

6   What’s he doing the second weekend?

      …………………………………………..